Continued 2
Coming back down the mountain was just as exciting as going up! We all now have a new appreciation of what a pick up truck can do! Now off to visit a "buck" goat who fathers many other goats in the animal husbandry program. This particular goat is from Africa and has had 200 offspring in the last year!!! His species adapts well to this climate and produces a more hearty breed. At this moment it started to rain - so down the mountain we scurried! Back to our truck to quickly make our way back to Tom's home while getting pelted with a much needed rain. Schmitty was very happy to see the rain come after our help earlier with planting the fruit trees in the mountains. They really need the rain for the trees to survive and the people are so incredibly hopeful.
What fun we had back at our home base watching the downpour and the quickly running "river" that once was the road. Our friends all together under one roof, singing, talking, learning about eachother, watching our new friend Echo dance, and just an awesome sense of comeraderie. We are all working for the same purpose all loving the same people all worshiping the same God. How fulfilling our day was!! We closed our day with Fr. Alexis joining our group discussion after supper. Tonight we shared all that we have learned over the week and everyone contributed wonderful insights. We have been so incredibly blessed even sometimes beyond words. But this experience has been engraved into our hearts, never to leave. We have become better people from of it and we will be challenged now because of it. We believe in the goodness and love of the Haitian people and will keep them close to us always.
Amen!
Culvers Night!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Continued from last day in Verrettes
...last day in Verrettes...continued #1
Our trip would not have been complete without experiencing the sights and smells of the market in town. This was definately worth the walk, seeing women so carefully displaying their prized goods to sell and help support their family. Fruits and vegetables, rice and grains, spices, ingredients and who can forget all the fresh meat of every kind (complete with pig and chicken feet) just waiting for the needy shopper. With so many vendors, who do you choose to buy from? It would be difficult I would think. As we were following Limone, Tom's daughter, we were trying to take it all in. Christie was both friend and foe with her camera. Some were very eager for their livelihood to be documented and others not so much. Either way, we both respected and appreciated their contribution to their community.
After another fantastic lunch of Haitian macaroni and cheese cooked by Tom's beautiful wife, Fecilta, we were off to pick up more fruit trees to take up the mountain to the small community of Tewoug. Here we were able to immerse ourselves in the planting event, everyone in the community and on our team supporting one another. The whole exchange culminating with lots of joyful singing, dancing, game playing, and laughter among the children and young people. A wondrful highlight for Chase was passing out the soccer and tennis balls and seeing how much joy just a simple gesture like that can bring. One of the coolest things was seeing a couple of the boys that Chase had given tshirts to last June when we were in the same area. They were still wearing the shirts!!!
...to be continued again
Our trip would not have been complete without experiencing the sights and smells of the market in town. This was definately worth the walk, seeing women so carefully displaying their prized goods to sell and help support their family. Fruits and vegetables, rice and grains, spices, ingredients and who can forget all the fresh meat of every kind (complete with pig and chicken feet) just waiting for the needy shopper. With so many vendors, who do you choose to buy from? It would be difficult I would think. As we were following Limone, Tom's daughter, we were trying to take it all in. Christie was both friend and foe with her camera. Some were very eager for their livelihood to be documented and others not so much. Either way, we both respected and appreciated their contribution to their community.
After another fantastic lunch of Haitian macaroni and cheese cooked by Tom's beautiful wife, Fecilta, we were off to pick up more fruit trees to take up the mountain to the small community of Tewoug. Here we were able to immerse ourselves in the planting event, everyone in the community and on our team supporting one another. The whole exchange culminating with lots of joyful singing, dancing, game playing, and laughter among the children and young people. A wondrful highlight for Chase was passing out the soccer and tennis balls and seeing how much joy just a simple gesture like that can bring. One of the coolest things was seeing a couple of the boys that Chase had given tshirts to last June when we were in the same area. They were still wearing the shirts!!!
...to be continued again
Our last day in Verettes and Liancourt
Sorry. Post was disessembled. Read this one.
Our last day in Verettes and Liancourt.
I think today was our busiest day yet. It was filled so many sights/ sounds/smells, joy/laughter/singing, heat/sun/rain, emotions/experiences and lessons that we could probably write a book but we'll try to keep it under a page!!
Our day began with stopping for a very short but exciting visit to the preschool next to the church. The happiness and excitement on these beautiful smiling faces so eager to welcome and touch us was both envigorating and contagious!!! We left here ready for our adventures of the day.
When we arrived at Tom's (Faith in Action's headquarters) there were already people there from the mountains to get their water filters. Our brave boys set out to the roof to embark on the much needed task of clearing away the unruly foliage blocking the front porch. Daniel commented on how he felt really good to have helped Tom and his family out after they so willing devote their lives to helping the poor.
Our next experience was to witness the unbelievable determination of three mountain women who, at the end of the day, were Fran's heroes! These women had walked 5 hours down the mountain to listen attentively to learn how to use the water filters. Then they carried their buckets (with filters attached) to the tree nursery where they were given about 15 fruit trees to carry back in their buckets. We watched as they very carefully placed each small tree so it wouldn't damage another before they hoisted their filled bucket onto their heads to start the 5 hour trek back UP the mountain they had come down this morning. Not a single complaint about the scalding sun today or the lack of water to drink on their journey. Just gratitude and diligence and joy. Yes, Fran's admiration of these women was felt by all!!
... to be continued
Our last day in Verettes and Liancourt.
I think today was our busiest day yet. It was filled so many sights/ sounds/smells, joy/laughter/singing, heat/sun/rain, emotions/experiences and lessons that we could probably write a book but we'll try to keep it under a page!!
Our day began with stopping for a very short but exciting visit to the preschool next to the church. The happiness and excitement on these beautiful smiling faces so eager to welcome and touch us was both envigorating and contagious!!! We left here ready for our adventures of the day.
When we arrived at Tom's (Faith in Action's headquarters) there were already people there from the mountains to get their water filters. Our brave boys set out to the roof to embark on the much needed task of clearing away the unruly foliage blocking the front porch. Daniel commented on how he felt really good to have helped Tom and his family out after they so willing devote their lives to helping the poor.
Our next experience was to witness the unbelievable determination of three mountain women who, at the end of the day, were Fran's heroes! These women had walked 5 hours down the mountain to listen attentively to learn how to use the water filters. Then they carried their buckets (with filters attached) to the tree nursery where they were given about 15 fruit trees to carry back in their buckets. We watched as they very carefully placed each small tree so it wouldn't damage another before they hoisted their filled bucket onto their heads to start the 5 hour trek back UP the mountain they had come down this morning. Not a single complaint about the scalding sun today or the lack of water to drink on their journey. Just gratitude and diligence and joy. Yes, Fran's admiration of these women was felt by all!!
... to be continued
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Beach yesterday - Church today - Trees, water filters and goats tomorrow!!!!
Yesterday, we had some time to cool off at the beach, then to St. Marc to buy buckets for the water filters!!
Today, Sunday, we were blessed to first attend Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in the center of Liancourt and then to the chapel in Hatte Belanger. We were able to really interract with the people at the chapel and passed out protractors and compasses to the school children there. We also presented the water filters that are going to be used at the school that is located in the chapel. Fr. Alexis was able to instruct the people on how to use them. He also explained to them that just because the water may look "clear" it is not necessarily "clean." These 5 filters that we left there will provide "clean" water for 331 students!!!!!
The people were very friendly and excited about everything we brought, but I think the loadest applause was for the SOCCER BALLS!!! To think sometimes what small things you can do that bring great smiles!!
Schmitty's exlamation on the ride home, "Wow, I feel fulfilled!!" said it all for us today.
Love to you all,
Team May
Today, Sunday, we were blessed to first attend Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in the center of Liancourt and then to the chapel in Hatte Belanger. We were able to really interract with the people at the chapel and passed out protractors and compasses to the school children there. We also presented the water filters that are going to be used at the school that is located in the chapel. Fr. Alexis was able to instruct the people on how to use them. He also explained to them that just because the water may look "clear" it is not necessarily "clean." These 5 filters that we left there will provide "clean" water for 331 students!!!!!
The people were very friendly and excited about everything we brought, but I think the loadest applause was for the SOCCER BALLS!!! To think sometimes what small things you can do that bring great smiles!!
Schmitty's exlamation on the ride home, "Wow, I feel fulfilled!!" said it all for us today.
Love to you all,
Team May
Friday, May 20, 2011
Many blessings today!!
Wow, we can’t believe it’s our third day in Haiti already!!! We are being blessed much more than we even anticipated! After another fantastic breakfast from Maude, Fr. Alexis’ cook, we were off to the first tree nursery in Verrettes. We worked and counted there before we went on to the 2nd tree nursery. There are hundreds of fruits just waiting to be planted. Unfortunately, we have been unable to distribute the trees to the farmers because the rains have not come yet. The ground is too dry and the trees will just die. We are hoping to do this in a couple of days though as it has started to rain in the mountains! Pray for more rain!!!
We have had such awesome experiences today and many highlights we would like to share. Gosh, there were so many – where to start? Well, I’ll start with one that is dear to my (Debbi’s) heart. Today we had the special opportunity to visit the home that “Team June” built last year. It was a very emotional moment when we crossed that river again and pulled up to the site where we spent so much time and energy building, learning, communicating and playing with our Haitian brothers and sisters. It brought back many memories for Daniel and Chase and myself. Chase commented on seeing all the work we did last year paid off and Daniel said it was cool to see where we played games with the kids and where he laid his first cement block. To see the house that was just bricks and mortar when we left, now a family home was an experience almost inexpressible. It was also extremely touching when Rosalyn, the mother, invited us in to show us her daughter’s handiwork in weaving mats. She was so proud of her surroundings and their talents that she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face the whole time we were there!!
After this, we journeyed down the trail to the children’s nursery and then even further down to take a rest and wade in the river. The children are so happy playing in the water, sometimes it’s contagious!!! After this we had the privilege (and we all feel it’s really a privilege) to visit some individual gardens that are supporting families. The excitement we saw in the man that so proudly showed us his “table tree nursery” is something that makes your heart leap with its own excitement! Did we mention that the joy that exudes from these people is contagious?!?!?! We are continually making friends everywhere we go!!! We found this at the soda pop and ice factory we visited. We were amazed that some very ingenious engineers and business men came back to their homeland to start this profitable business, providing jobs for fellow Haitians.
We also noticed that the kids at the clinic we visited were “just itching” to try and communicate with us and show us the English phrases that they had learned at school. Again – excited to be our friends!! Let’s talk about this clinic we visited today. Such inspiration to see this nurse who has put her life savings into building a clinic for the people in the Liancourt area. It was her dream and now she is almost seeing it come true. She just needs the finishing touches: doors, windows, generator, wall and fence to see her dream of serving her brothers and sisters come true. She will be out of funds after the roof is put on, but has hope that one day her clinic will open.
We can’t forget our tour of the famous Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Des Chapelle. This is the main hospital for miles and a very noted one where doctors and nurses come from all over the world to serve the people of the Artibonite Valley in Haiti. For some of us, the hospital was more primitive than we thought it was going to be. Christie commented that, “it’s amazing what they can do with the little they have.” Again, we were sizing up our perception of the world around us and how different it now is. We closed our night by talking about how we are continually learning about the Haitian culture and how to respect it by accepting it. “We serve and therefore are served, we love and also are loved, we are opening our hands to the many Hands of Haiti.”
Our love to you all!!
Team May
We have had such awesome experiences today and many highlights we would like to share. Gosh, there were so many – where to start? Well, I’ll start with one that is dear to my (Debbi’s) heart. Today we had the special opportunity to visit the home that “Team June” built last year. It was a very emotional moment when we crossed that river again and pulled up to the site where we spent so much time and energy building, learning, communicating and playing with our Haitian brothers and sisters. It brought back many memories for Daniel and Chase and myself. Chase commented on seeing all the work we did last year paid off and Daniel said it was cool to see where we played games with the kids and where he laid his first cement block. To see the house that was just bricks and mortar when we left, now a family home was an experience almost inexpressible. It was also extremely touching when Rosalyn, the mother, invited us in to show us her daughter’s handiwork in weaving mats. She was so proud of her surroundings and their talents that she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face the whole time we were there!!
After this, we journeyed down the trail to the children’s nursery and then even further down to take a rest and wade in the river. The children are so happy playing in the water, sometimes it’s contagious!!! After this we had the privilege (and we all feel it’s really a privilege) to visit some individual gardens that are supporting families. The excitement we saw in the man that so proudly showed us his “table tree nursery” is something that makes your heart leap with its own excitement! Did we mention that the joy that exudes from these people is contagious?!?!?! We are continually making friends everywhere we go!!! We found this at the soda pop and ice factory we visited. We were amazed that some very ingenious engineers and business men came back to their homeland to start this profitable business, providing jobs for fellow Haitians.
We also noticed that the kids at the clinic we visited were “just itching” to try and communicate with us and show us the English phrases that they had learned at school. Again – excited to be our friends!! Let’s talk about this clinic we visited today. Such inspiration to see this nurse who has put her life savings into building a clinic for the people in the Liancourt area. It was her dream and now she is almost seeing it come true. She just needs the finishing touches: doors, windows, generator, wall and fence to see her dream of serving her brothers and sisters come true. She will be out of funds after the roof is put on, but has hope that one day her clinic will open.
We can’t forget our tour of the famous Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Des Chapelle. This is the main hospital for miles and a very noted one where doctors and nurses come from all over the world to serve the people of the Artibonite Valley in Haiti. For some of us, the hospital was more primitive than we thought it was going to be. Christie commented that, “it’s amazing what they can do with the little they have.” Again, we were sizing up our perception of the world around us and how different it now is. We closed our night by talking about how we are continually learning about the Haitian culture and how to respect it by accepting it. “We serve and therefore are served, we love and also are loved, we are opening our hands to the many Hands of Haiti.”
Our love to you all!!
Team May
Good morning! Yesterday we were exhausted and didn't get a chance to post. "Eskize mwen." Sorry in Creole.
Thursday, our first full day in Haiti. What is the meaning of being a servant? Does it mean doing physical labor for someone or does it mean putting yourself out there to help someone else? We found that our role as servants on this day was very simple. Just to show interest in another's work and that we care sometimes is all it takes to bring loads of encouragement to a Haitian farmer who is working hard to provide for his family. We had the priviledge of visiting many Haitian gardens in the mountains and also their homes. They were so happy and welcoming and willing to share their lives with us. This experience has made us look at things from a different perspective and respect and appreciate our own lives. We also have noticed the opportunity not only to learn from the Haitian people but also from eachother in our group. We learned alot about joy from our new friend "Echo" and the utmost trust he has in everyone. We also learned this country and these beautiful people have unleashed in us a desire to think of them first and how we can use our gifts and talents to help make life a little easier for them. But from their perspective and not ours. What are the true necessities in life? We are beginning to answer these questions.
God bless you and your families! We appreciate all of you!!!
Thursday, our first full day in Haiti. What is the meaning of being a servant? Does it mean doing physical labor for someone or does it mean putting yourself out there to help someone else? We found that our role as servants on this day was very simple. Just to show interest in another's work and that we care sometimes is all it takes to bring loads of encouragement to a Haitian farmer who is working hard to provide for his family. We had the priviledge of visiting many Haitian gardens in the mountains and also their homes. They were so happy and welcoming and willing to share their lives with us. This experience has made us look at things from a different perspective and respect and appreciate our own lives. We also have noticed the opportunity not only to learn from the Haitian people but also from eachother in our group. We learned alot about joy from our new friend "Echo" and the utmost trust he has in everyone. We also learned this country and these beautiful people have unleashed in us a desire to think of them first and how we can use our gifts and talents to help make life a little easier for them. But from their perspective and not ours. What are the true necessities in life? We are beginning to answer these questions.
God bless you and your families! We appreciate all of you!!!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
...continued first day.
What a blessing he and his staff are to us!! They had a fantastic meal waiting for the hungry travellers. After a tour of their home, some refreshing showers and great conversation, we are tucked in for the night. Tomorrow begins our new adventure in this mountaneous country filled with beautiful people bursting with love of neighbor, taking care of each other. Hopefully we will be able to take part in this exchange and witness firsthand acting on the scripture, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
God bless and sweet dreams!!
Team May
What a blessing he and his staff are to us!! They had a fantastic meal waiting for the hungry travellers. After a tour of their home, some refreshing showers and great conversation, we are tucked in for the night. Tomorrow begins our new adventure in this mountaneous country filled with beautiful people bursting with love of neighbor, taking care of each other. Hopefully we will be able to take part in this exchange and witness firsthand acting on the scripture, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
God bless and sweet dreams!!
Team May
Our first day in Haiti - Flag Day.
Today is Flag Day in Haiti-a national holiday. It is the celebration of the day in 1806 (I think) when the Haitian leaders all met to redesign the country's flag after they won their independence from the French. The schools are closed and there are many festivals. In fact, we had the priveledge of having to pull to the side of the road as the new President of Haiti and his entourage passed by. It was very exciting. We felt like we were somehow drawn into this piece of their history. Because of all the extra commotion on the streets, it took us an extra hour to reach our destination - the home of our wonderful friend, Fr. Alexis. ... to be continued
Today is Flag Day in Haiti-a national holiday. It is the celebration of the day in 1806 (I think) when the Haitian leaders all met to redesign the country's flag after they won their independence from the French. The schools are closed and there are many festivals. In fact, we had the priveledge of having to pull to the side of the road as the new President of Haiti and his entourage passed by. It was very exciting. We felt like we were somehow drawn into this piece of their history. Because of all the extra commotion on the streets, it took us an extra hour to reach our destination - the home of our wonderful friend, Fr. Alexis. ... to be continued
Good morning! Well we were up early and to the airport. Now waiting to get in the plane to Miami. Then on to Haiti where Fr. Alexis will be waiting for us. We should arrive in Port au Prince at 1:05 (2:05 Michigan time). Then we have about a 3 hour ride on rough terrain to our destination in Liancourt. Daniel, Chase and Debbi are anxious to see how the earthquake clean up is coming since they were there last June. Stay tuned!!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Prayer Request!!
Probably our last post before we leave~
Hello friends and family. Well, it is now 5 days until our “Team May” leaves for Haiti and time for the most important favor we have to ask of you. Your prayers!
Matthew 18:20 says, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them." We will be working amongst conditions foreign to most of us going and we will be faced with challenges not many of us have had to deal with. We will be stretching ourselves more than we have ever been stretched. But we will have the experience of “living the Gospel” more than we ever had the opportunity. We will go through some discouragement but come out with enthusiasm. We will feel sadness, and then be overcome with joy. We will use our bodies to serve others, and then be served by them for bodily nourishment. We will use our hearts and souls to love, and see their faces and smiles as they love us back. We wish you all were coming with us, but you still can be an integral part of this mission. Not only are you connected through your donations, but also through your prayers.
We are one body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12:20 says, “But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body.” and continues in verse 26, “all the parts share its joy.” Wow!!! How profound!! All of you share our joy!!! We are privileged to share with you all that we experience on this trip. Please watch our blog so we can share with you! Come and journey with us!! Lets all BE the Gospel TOGETHER!!!
If you would like to be committed to be one of our prayer warriors during the week of May 18-25, please respond back or comment on the blog site so we can add you to our list. One more note – your comments on our blog during our trip are a HUGE source of encouragement to us!! Please don’t hesitate to send us any notes!!
Ready, set, GO!!!
Love, "Team May"
Debbi, Daniel, Christie, Fran, Chase, Adam
Hello friends and family. Well, it is now 5 days until our “Team May” leaves for Haiti and time for the most important favor we have to ask of you. Your prayers!
Matthew 18:20 says, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them." We will be working amongst conditions foreign to most of us going and we will be faced with challenges not many of us have had to deal with. We will be stretching ourselves more than we have ever been stretched. But we will have the experience of “living the Gospel” more than we ever had the opportunity. We will go through some discouragement but come out with enthusiasm. We will feel sadness, and then be overcome with joy. We will use our bodies to serve others, and then be served by them for bodily nourishment. We will use our hearts and souls to love, and see their faces and smiles as they love us back. We wish you all were coming with us, but you still can be an integral part of this mission. Not only are you connected through your donations, but also through your prayers.
We are one body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12:20 says, “But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body.” and continues in verse 26, “all the parts share its joy.” Wow!!! How profound!! All of you share our joy!!! We are privileged to share with you all that we experience on this trip. Please watch our blog so we can share with you! Come and journey with us!! Lets all BE the Gospel TOGETHER!!!
If you would like to be committed to be one of our prayer warriors during the week of May 18-25, please respond back or comment on the blog site so we can add you to our list. One more note – your comments on our blog during our trip are a HUGE source of encouragement to us!! Please don’t hesitate to send us any notes!!
Ready, set, GO!!!
Love, "Team May"
Debbi, Daniel, Christie, Fran, Chase, Adam
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Fundraising SUCCESS!!!
A HUGE thank you to everyone that has donated for water filters and that came to our garage sale!! We have raised $3,171.00 so far!! We are almost to our goal of 80 water filters. We only need 5 more!!
This is what YOU are helping us bring to the people of Haiti!!
We are instruments of Christ. Spreading the Gospel by BEING the Gospel. Please pray for us while we are in Haiti! Your prayers and support are so important to us! They bring us all together as one family united for a common purpose centered on Christ!!!!!!!!
God bless and keep watching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is what YOU are helping us bring to the people of Haiti!!
- 80 water filters!!!!
- 50 compasses/protractors for students
- pens and pencils for students
- 20 back packs for students
- speakers for a church
- soccer balls
We are instruments of Christ. Spreading the Gospel by BEING the Gospel. Please pray for us while we are in Haiti! Your prayers and support are so important to us! They bring us all together as one family united for a common purpose centered on Christ!!!!!!!!
God bless and keep watching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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